GREENFIELD — Franklin County Sheriff Christopher Donelan is the newest member of the Greenfield Community College Board of Trustees.

After receiving a stamp of approval from Gov. Deval Patrick, the former state legislator begins a five-year term that will run until March 1, 2019. He’ll succeed Franklin County Register of Deeds Scott Cote, whose 12-year tenure on the board ended this spring.

The 11-member board approves major financial decisions at the college, including signing off on the annual budget and deciding whether to increase student fees. The board evaluates President Robert Pura every year and, if the need arose in the years to come, would head up the search and hiring of a new president.

It also votes on other procedures — like the arming of campus police officers — as mandated by state law.

“Hopes and dreams are realized at GCC every day, and I will put all of my experience to work for the benefit of the people who attend there,” said Donelan, in a prepared statement issued by the college.

Both Pura and Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Cohn were pleased with the appointment.

“He is proactive and personable and really knows what is going on in the county and the state,” said Cohn. “He will be a great addition to our already very strong board.”